NASCAR's Clint Bowyer on his 'hunger' to get on top

The happiest man in the NASCAR garage area?

Try Clint Bowyer.

He endured a dispiriting 2016 for the small and uncompetitive HScott team, and finished 27th in points, with only three top-10 finishes. Now, Bowyer is back to being a contender.

Stewart-Haas Racing picked him to take over the No. 14 Mobil 1/Haas Automation Ford vacated by Tony Stewart after last season. But Bowyer needed a one-year deal before that car was available, and with the financial collapse of the Michael Waltrip Racing team he had been with, HScott was what he could find.

“We were all reminding him: 'Be patient. You've got a lot to look forward to,’ ” says Stewart.

Bowyer, 37, has eight career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series wins. He started with Richard Childress Racing in 2006 and, in six seasons there, twice was top-5 in points. He moved to Waltrip’s Toyota team in 2012 and was second in the championship with three victories.

Bowyer, 10th last Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, spoke with azcentral sports before he qualified 13th for Sunday's Camping World 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. His answers have been edited for length and clarity.

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Question: How difficult was the 2016 season for you?

Answer: It was hard, no question about it. I've had some pretty good success in my career and it was a year I wasn't proud of. I'm glad it's behind me. I can tell you that year was worth this opportunity in the 14 car and I aim to get myself re-established as a front-runner.

Q: Did you realize before last season how few resources that team had?

A: I'm not pointing fingers or diminishing anyone. I've got to get back out there and be a front-runner.

Q.: How have you handled all the turmoil in your career the last few years?

A.: It's been a hell of a whirlwind for about 2 1/2 years. I signed a new long-term contract (with MWR) and not even a year into it that deal goes away. I had to figure out something else. Then you get an unbelievable opportunity in the best ride you've ever had (14) but have got to wait a year. Then you've got to figure that year out. It's like everything else in my career. There's somebody watching after you. It was within three days we had the conversation going (with SHR) and in a week we had a contract signed. It's time to hit the reset button and get my feet back on the ground and digging.

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Q.: Has your motivation increased with this chance to jump-start your career?

A.: Motivation is the right answer. Hunger is a good word. I've got an opportunity to put food on the plate, and I'm going to get some.

Q.: Jimmie Johnson said you’re one of the drivers he’s expecting to have a good season. Do you feel that pressure from others and the fans?

A.: Expectations have been there since I came into the sport. I was a rookie at RCR and had expectations to perform, or I was going to be out because he was paying me a lot of money. Nobody puts expectations on a race car driver more than themselves. This is a business and a lot of people expect me to run well, including myself.

Q.: You raced a Chevrolet for RCR and Toyota at MWR. Now you’re in a Ford since Stewart-Haas switched manufacturers. Is it difficult to adapt to different models?

A.: I'm excited about the Ford change. I've seen the success they've had and the push they have. With everything that's going on in our sport, they are one of the only brands that are pushing bigger and better. They are buying into motorsports even more. Their dedication is there. That's who you want to be with. It's not just their NASCAR push. They've invested into other forms of motorsports as well and I know we're going to reap the benefits. I've always been a huge fan of (engine builder) Doug Yates and having his horsepower under the hood.

Q.: PIR fans still remember the brawl involving your crew and Jeff Gordon in 2012. What do you recall about that?

A.: I've had a lot of excitement since then. That's water under the bridge. Hell, he don't even race anymore, that's how long it's been. We do this for a living and it was the end of the season and there was a tremendous amount of money on the line. More than I thought I'd ever see in my lifetime. When there's big things like that on the line, emotions are going to be high. That's why, every year in the (playoffs), when things happen, electricity begins.